3 


K x ^ 


;a 


Inaugural  Address  of  .Samuel  M. 
Ralston,  Governor-elect.  Released  for 
publication  at  1 o’clock,  Monday,  Jan. 
13,  1913. 


Senators,  Representatives  and  Fel- 
low Citizens: 

The  oath  I have  just  taken  binds  me 
most  solemnly  to  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  high  official  duties.  It 
pledges  me  to  loyalty  to  the  constitu- 
tion of  my  state  and  to  the  constitu- 
tion of  my  country,  and  imposes  upon 
me  duties  to  the  citizenship  under 
both.  The  sincerity  with  which  1 
have  taken  this  obligation  cannot  now 
be  known  to  those  whom  I am  pledg- 
ed to  serve.  By  my  official  conduct 
their  confidence  in  me  will  either  be 
strengthened  or  destroyed.  I intend 
it  shall  be  strengthened. 

On  the  13th  day  of  January,  1873 — 
forty  years  ago  this  day — one  of  In- 
diana’s most  cultured  gentlemen  and 
ablest  statesmen,  Thomas  A.  Hen- 
dricks, was  inaugurated  Governor 
of  Indiana.  In  his  inaugural  address 
he  said: 

“It  is  not  expected  of  me  upon  this 
occasion  to  consider,  with  any  degree 
of  particularity,  the  subjects  of  leg 
islation  that  may  occupy  your  atten- 
tion at  the  present  session.  That 
duty  has  been  discharged  by  my  pre- 
decessor. But  I cannot  avoid  a refer- 
ence to  some  subjects  of  special  in- 
terest and  importance.” 

As  in  the  case  of  the  predecessor 
of  Governor  Hendricks,  my  distin- 
guished predecessor,  Governor  Mar- 
shall, has  complied  with  the  provision 
of  the  Constitution  requiring  the  Gov- 
ernor to  communicate  with  the  Gener- 
al Assembly,  and  this  renders  it  un- 
necessary that  I should  address  a 
formal  message  to  the  legislature  at 
this  time.  The  reference  I shall  now 
make  to  any  particular  subject  of  leg- 
islation will  be  made  not  so  much 
with  a view  of  indicating  the  char- 
acter of  any  law  that  shoudl  be  enact- 
ed as  with  a view  of  showing  the  di- 
rection I am  now  facing  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  face  during  my  administra- 
tion. 

I assume  that  the  Democratic  ma- 
jority of  the  present  legislature  will 
abide  by  and  promptly  proceed  to 
carry  out  the  last  platform  declara- 
tions made  by  its  party  in  this  state. 
This  will  include-  an  efficient  primary 
election  law  and  a general  revision  of 
the  road  laws.  Not  to  carry  out  this 
platform  would  be  a betrayal  of  the 
people’s  confidence. 

Numerous  and  serious  questions 
fiequently  arise  between  public  utili- 
ties companies  and  their  patrons  or 
customers,  involving  in  many  in- 
stances to  a greater  or  less  extent  the 
public.  These  questions  sometimes 
take  the  form  (st'  real  controversies 
growing  out  of  yiods  pursued 


pulsory  under  the  Indiana  constitu- 
tion is  a question.  If  a law  on  this 
subject  is  enacted  containing  a com- 
pulsory provision  and  it  otherwise 
meets  my  approval  I shall  let 
the  supreme  court  say  whether 
it  is  constitutional. 

In  my  opening  campaign  speech 
last  fall,  I stated  that  while  I person- 
ally favored  a constitutional  conven 
tion,  I had  no  authority  to  commit 
my  party  to  such  a movement,  but 
that  without  regard  to  my  individual 
views,  I would,  in(  the  event  of  my 
election,  make  sucli  recommendations 
as  to  the  advisability  of  calling  a 
convention  as  I believed  fairly  repre- 
sented the  views  of  the  people. 

What  then  are  the  views  of  the  peo- 
ple on  this  subject?  The  Democratic 
legislature  in  1911  believed  that  the 
present  constitution  of  Indiana  did 
not  meet  the  requirements  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  so  holding  it  prepared  for  sub- 
mission to  the  voters  of  Indiana  a 
new  constitution. 

The  Progressive  and  the  Republi- 
can parties  in  their  respective  plat- 
forms of  1912  declared  in  favor  of  a 
constitutional  convention.  So  unless 
the  Democratic  legislature  of  1911 
and  the  Progressive  and  the  Republi- 
, an  parties  were  all  mistaken  the 
people  of  Indiana  are  in  reed  of  and 
want  a new  constitution. 

Is  it  strange  that  they  should  desire 
an  up-to-date  organic  law?  Their 
present  constitution  was  adopted, 
more  than  sixty  years  ago.  Since* 
then  the  development  of  our  state  ha3 
been  marvelous.  Its  population  has 
greatly  increased  and  its  intellectual 
social  and  material  progress  have  mul- 
tiplied many  fold.  New  questions 
have  arisen  that  cannot  be  solved 
under  the  present  instrument  and 
new  conditions  make  it  necessary  for 
the  people  to  assert  rights  they  can 
not  exercise  thereunder. 

What  is  a government  for  if  it  is 
not  to  serve  the  purpose  of  the  peo- 
ple? Thomas  Jefferson  believed  so 
s'  ongly  that  this  was  the  object  of 
government  that  h2  maintained  that 
a constitution  should  contain  a pro- 
vision lor  its  revision  every  twenty 
years.  There  have  been  but  few,  if 
any,  men  in  this  state  who  excelled 
the  late  Governor  Isaac  P.  Gray  in 
ability  accurately  to  interpret  public 
sentiment.  In  his  message  to  the  legis- 
lature more  than  thirty  years  ago  he 
strongly  advocated  the  calling  of  a 
constitutional  conveniion 

I have  thus  briefly  stated  the  facts 
that  I believe  show  the  people  wart 
a new'  constitution,  and  personally  1 
favor  a constitutional  convention.  1 
recognize  that  it  is  the  duty  of  legis 
lalors,  before  favoring  such  a conven 
tion,  to  consider  the  expense  of  the 
same  from  the  standpoint  of  their  con- 
stituents, and  in  view  of  the  present 
financial  condition  of  the  state  and 


ment.  Impressed  by  the  example 
thus  set  by  the  people,  and  revering 
constitutional  provisions,  1 shall  con- 
scientiously strive  to  confine  my  of- 
ficial acts  to  the  executive  sphere 
prescribed  by  the  constitution,  and 
steadfastly  refrain  from  attempting 
coercive  methods  respecting  the  other 
branches  of  government 

Those  called  to  official  positions 
of  grave  responsibility  cannot  hope 
rightfully  to  respond  to  the  demands 
of  the  public,  if  they  close  their  eyes 
to  the  conditions  of  society  and  the 
spirit  of  the  times.  Indifferently,  in- 
deed, has  he  lived  who  does  not  un- 
derstand that  the  people  know  their 
government  is  slipping  away  from  them 
and  that  they  are  pleading  for  honest 
public  servants.  The  newspaper  and 
the  magazine  are  abroad  in  the  land. 
The  Isaiahs  of  national  progress  are 
ciying  unto  the  people  to  reclaim  the 
government  of  their  own  making,  and 
with  hearts  that  shall  not  fail  and 
with  a courage  that  shall  endure  they 
will  ultimately  have  their  Runnymede 

We  should  not  forget,  however,  that 
wild  declamation  disorganizes  and 
fiustrates  the  plans  of  those  working 
for  the  general  good.  Recognizing 
this  truth  the  people  are  coming  more 
and  more  to  lay  their  heads  together 
on  matters-  of  public  concern,  with 
the  view  of  being  able  to  give  help- 
ful advice  to  those  in  authority  over 
them.  Hence  the  official  entreaty  to 
the  populace  should  be,  “Come,  let  us 
reason  together.”  This  was  the  con 
ception  of  law  making  the  philoso- 
phical Burke  had  in  mind  wrhen  he  de- 
clared that  “In  all  forms  of  govern- 
ments the  people  is  the  true  legisla- 
tor.” 

In  national  as  in  state  affairs 
they  have  solved  intelligently  every 
question  they  have  had  to  con- 
sider. I sometimes  think  that  men 
in  public  station  do  not  always  cor- 
rectly estimate  the  wisdom  and  the 
character  of  American  citizenship. 
While  our  citizens  are  aggressive  and 
at  times  seem  to  act  hastily,  they  are 
nevertheless  given  to  serious  thought. 
This  is  true  because  the  average 
American  is  capable  of  a high  order 
of  friendship  and  has  the  ability  to 
acquire  property.  Love  for  man  ana 
a desire  for  property  suggest  the  ne- 
cessity lor  law  and  order  and  so  it  is 
that  the  average  American  citizen 
stands  for  obedience  to  law. 

Unless  the  law  is  enforced  con- 
stitutional guarantees  become  but  the 
dreams  of  our  fathers  and  the  most 
sacred  rights  of  citizenship  have 
nothing  secure  upon  which  to  rest. 
Before  the  law  the  rich  and  the  poor, 
the  capitalist  and  the  laborer  must 
stand  upon  an  equality.  As  Gover- 
nor I shall  have  no  favorites  in  the 
execution  of  the  law,  and  let  it  now 
be  understood  that  I shall  hold  that 
th-r  mind,  which  devises  a Rfhemo  tv,or 


Senators,  Representatives  and  Fel- 
low Citizens: 

The  oath  I have  just  taken  binds  me 
Most  solemnly  to  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  high  official  duties.  It 
pledges  me  to  loyalty  to  the  constitu- 
j of  my  state  and  to  the  constttu- 
1 of  my  country,  and  imposes  upon 
duties  to  the  citizenship  under 
both.  The  sincerity  with  which  1 
have  taken  this  obligation  cannot  now 
be  known  to  those  whom  I am  pledg- 
ed to  serve.  By  my  official  conduct 
their  confidence  in  me  will  either  be 
strengthened  or  destroyed.  I Intend 
it  shall  be  strengthened. 

On  the  13th  day  of  January,  1873 — 
forty  years  ago  this  day — one  of  In- 
diana's most  cultured  gentlemen  and 
ablest  statesmen,  Thomas  A.  Hen- 
dricks. was  Inaugurated  Governor 
of  Indiana.  In  his  inaugural  address 
he  said: 

"It  is  not  expected  of  me  upon  this 
occasion  to  consider,  with  any  degree 
of  particularity,  the  subjects  of  leg 
islation  that  may  occupy  your  atten- 
tion at  the  present  session.  That 
d'i'y  has  been  discharged  by  my  pre- 
decessor. But  I cannot  avoid  a refer- 
ence to  some  subjects  of  special  in- 
terest and  importance.” 

As  in  the  case  of  the  predecessor 
of  Governor  Hendricks,  my  distin- 
guished predecessor,  Governor  Mar- 
shall. has  complied  with  the  provision 
of  the  Constitution  requiring  the  Gov 
ernor  to  communicate  with  the  Gener- 
al Assembly,  and  this  renders  it  un- 
necessary that  I should  address  a 
formal  message  to  the  legislature  at 
this  time.  The  reference  I shall  now 
make  to  any  particular  subject  of  leg- 
islation will  be  made  not  so  much 
with  a view  of  indicating  the  char 
acter  of  any  law  that  shoudl  be  enact- 
ed as  with  a view  of  showing  the  di- 
rection I am  now  faciug  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  face  during  my  administra- 
- tlon. 

I assume  that  the  Democratic  ma- 
jority of  tile  present  legislature  will 
abide  by  and  promptly  proceed  to 
carry  out  the  Jaat  platform  declara- 
tions made  by  Us  party  in  this  state. 
This  will  include  an  efficient  primary 
election  law  and  a general  revision  or 
tin-  road  laws.  Not  to  carry  out  this 
platform  would  be  a betrayal  of  the 
people's  confidence. 

Numerous  and  serious  questions 
licquently  arise  between  public  utili- 
ties companies  and  their 


customers,  involving 
stances  to  a grei^tci 
public.  These 
take  the  form 
| growing 


many  in- 
extent the 
sometimes 
controversies 
.hods  pursued 


Ub 

the  rates  chaigtl- 
kind  of  service  laddered 
ondltlon  has  gij^n  quite  a general 
In  dWTefnt  sections  of  the 
stale  iTif'K-  pnbltciUUities  commission 
Such  a conSv-'lssun  as  is  well  know.i 
would  lie  vestVflVith  authority  over 
telephone  compfMles,  gas  companies, 
dcctric  light  coi^unies,  water  com- 
panies, power  o<Bpanies.  street  car 
companies,  Interwhuri  tract iou  com- 
panies and  kinflTed  utilities  compan- 
ies. and  1 recommend  the  creation  or 

-tTTFBtnTTPT- 

The  many  properties  and  the  vast 
amount  of  capital  that  would  come 
under  the  Jurisdiction  of  a utilities 
commission  indicate  the  ability  and 
cure  required  in  drafting  a utilities 
law  absolutely  fair  to  both  the  public 
and  those  having  their  money  invest- 
ed in  such  properties. 

A utilities  law  should  empower  the 
commission  to  make  physical  valua- 
tion and  to  ascertain  the  amount  in- 
vested and  the  amount  necessary  to 
keep  up  repairs  and  pay  operating  ex- 
penses. These  things  are  essential 
to  be  known  as  a basis  for  arriving 
at  proper  charges  for  service.  It  is 
important  that  the  law  should  con- 
tain a provision  against  watered 
stock  and  overbonding  and  . against 
abuses  In  granting  franchises,  and 
! • should  require  a system  of  uniform 
accounting. 

1 hope  the  legislature  will  make  a 
zealous  effort  to  enact  a satisfactory 
luw  on  this  subject.  While  the  peo- 
ple are  alert  on  questions  of  tbfs  char 
acter  und  ure  demanding  proper  ser- 
vice by  utilities  companies  at  reason- 
able rates,  they  do  not  wish  to  work 
oppression  upon  them.  They  desire 
only  what  Is  right  between  man  and 
man.  and  to  my  personal  knowledge 
there  are  utilities  companies  in  this 
state  that  share  this  view  with  the 
people 

The  majority  of  American 
citizens  are  neither  rich  nor 
poor.  The  man  of  limited 
means,  therefore  who  honors  his  coun 
try  In  times  of  peace  and  defends  her 
institutions  in  times  of  war  is  enti- 
tled to  have  wealth  bear  Its  share  of 
public  expenses.  To  this  eud  I hop- 
the  legislature  will  enact  an  inheri- 
tance tux  law. 

Corporation*  are  creatures  of  the 
state.  They  have  no  authority  to  is 
sue  stocks  and  bonds  or  securities  in 
any  form  except  as  the  state  vests 
them  With  power  to  issue  the  same 
There  should  be  n luw  against  the 
Issuance  and  sale  of  watered  secur 
Itle*.  unless  on  the  face  thereof  the 
amount  or  per  cent,  of  water  therein 
is  accurately  stated. 

We  should  have  In  this  state  a 
workingman’s  compensation  law 
Whether  such  a law  can  be  made  com 


pulsory  under  the  Indiana  constitu- 
tion is  a question.  If  a law  on  this 
subject  is  enacted  containing  a com- 
pulsory provision  and  it  otherwise 
meets  my  approval  I shall  let 
the  supreme  court  say  whether 
It  is  constitutional. 

In  my  opening  campaign  speech 
I.ist  fall,  I stated  that  while  1 person- 
ally favored  a constitutional  conven 
tion,  I had  no  authority  to  commit 
my  party  to  such  a movement,  but 
that  without  regard  to  my  individual 
views.  I would,  in  the  event  of  my 
election,  make  such  recommendations 
as  to  the  advisability  of  calling  a 
convention  as  I believed  fairly  repre 
sented  the  views  of  the  people. 

What  then  are  the  views  of  the  peo- 
ple on  this  subject?  The  Democratic 
legislature  in  1911  believed  that  the 
present  constitution  of  Indiana  did 
not  meet  the  requirements  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  so  holding  it  prepared  for  sub- 
mission to  the  voters  of  Indiana  a 
new  constitution. 

The  Progressive  and  the  Republi- 
can parties  in  their  respective  plat- 
forms of  1912  declared  in  favor  of  a 
constitutional  convention.  So  unlesr 
the  Democratic  legislature  of  1911 
and  the  Progressive  and  the  Republi- 
. an  parties  were  all  mistaken  tUe 
people  of  Indiana  are  In  reed  of  an-1 
want  a new  constitution. 

Is  it  strunge  that  they  should  desire 
an  up-to-date  organic  law?  Their 
present  constitution  was  adopted 
more  than  sixty  years  ago.  Since* 
then  the  development  ot  our  state  has 
been  marvelous.  Its  population  lias 
greatly  Increased  and  its  intellectual 
sociul  and  material  progress  have  mul- 
tiplied many  fold.  New  questions 
have  arisen  that  cannot  be  solved 
under  the  present  instrument  and 
new  conditions  make  it  necessary  for 
the  people  to  assert  rights  they  can 
not  exercise  thereunder. 

What  is  a government  for  if  it  is 
not  to  serve  the  purpose  of  the  peo- 
ple? Thomas  Jefferson  believed  so 
s-  ongly  that  this  was  the  object  of 
government  that  h?  maintained  that 
a constitution  should  contain  a pro- 
vision io-  its  revision  every  twenty 
years.  There  have  been  but  few.  if 
any,  men  in  this  state  who  excelled 
the  late  Governor  Isaac  P.  Gray  in 
ability  accurately  to  interpret  public 
sentiment.  In  his  message  to  tile  legis- 
lature more  than  thirty  years  ago  lie 
strongly  advocated  the  calling  of  a 
constitutional  convention 

I have  thus  briefly  stated  the  facts 
that  I believe  show  the  people  wart 
a new  constitution,  and  personally  I 
favor  a constitutional  convention  I 
recognize  that  it  is  the  duty  of  legls 
lators.  before  favoring  such  u conven 
tion.  to  consider  the  expense  of  the 
same  rrom  the  standpoint  ot  their  con- 
stituents, and  in  view  of  the  present 
"nanclal  condition  of  the  stale  and 


ing  1 should  also  add  in  this  con- 
nect ion  that  it  is  perfectly  proper  for 
the  legislature  to  consider  whether  a 
convention  should  be  called  while  the 
constitution  submitted  by  the  legisla- 
ture of  1911  is  involved  in  litigation 
on  appeal  in  the  supreme  court  of  Mu 
United  States. 

While  I was  nominated  for  gover- 
nor as  a party  man  and  elected  as 
such  and  am  with  pride  still  a Demo- 
crat without  apology.  1 do  not  fall 
to  recognize  in  the  hour  of  triumph 
that  the  noise  and  prejudice  of  a cam- 
paign have  been  succeeded  by  the 
calm  so  essential  to  good  neighborhood 
and  the  public  welfare.  I am  admon 
ished  by  the  character  of  my  oath  of 
office  that  I am  not  now  the  repre-' 
sentatlve  of  a political  party,  except 
in  a limited  sense,  but  that  I am  the 
servant  of  all  the  people  without  re- 
gard to  creed  or  party  and  without 
regard  to  tlie  manner  born. 

By  the  first  line  of  our  state  con- 
stitution the  people  of  Indiana  dedi- 
cated themselves  to  the  suoliine  doc- 
trine of  the  equality  of  man.  This 
idea  or  principle  of  government  ex- 
isted In  the  remote  past  in. sentiment 
only.  Senaea.  the  pagan  philosopher, 
was  perhaps  the  first  to  recognize  it 
is  a controlling  principle  in  society 
and  government,  when  he  declared  in 
his  contemplation  of  deutb  that  "The 
chief  part  of  equity  is  equality." 

As  the  surest  menns  of  vitalizing 
this  principle  in  the  affairs  of  men. 
our  Federal  and  State  governments 
are  each  divided  into  three  distlnc' 
divisions  with  separate  functions  ana 
without  any  power  on  the  part  of  any 
one  to  exercise  the  functions  of  either 
of  the  others. 

Whether  we  look  to  the  Federal  or 
State  government,  the  fact  appears 
that  the  people  have  not  only  defined 
with  great  accuracy  the  duties  or  each 
division  of  their  government  but  they 
have  furnished  the  world  Mie  unpre- 
• edented  example  of  voluntarily  sur- 
rendering a part  of  their  unlimited 
power.  They  deprived  themselves  of 
all  legislative,  executive  and  judlcbr. 
authority  and  before  they  can  per- 
form unv  of  these  functions  of  govern- 
ment they  must  revest  themselves 
with  the  neeessarv  power  therefor  by 
constitutional  methods  they  them- 
selves have  devised. 

The  thought  I want  to  leave  with 
you  at  this  point  is  this:  if  the  peo- 
ple. the  source  of  all  power,  refuse  t-» 
exercise  power  they  have  delegated 
until  they  can  in  a formal  and  order!> 
way  revest  themselves  with  author- 
ity to  act.  their  conduct  in  this  re- 
spect should  afford  a solemn  admon- 
ition against  the  unsurpation  of  au- 
thority by  any  branch  of  the  govern- 


ment. Impressed  by  the  example 
thus  set  by  the  people,  and  revering 
constitutional  provisions,  I shall  con- 
scientiously strive  to  confine  my  of- 
ficial acts  to  the  executive  sphere 
prescribed  by  the  constitution,  and 
steadfastly  refrain  from  attempting 
coercive  methods  respecting  the  othor 
branches  of  government 
Those  called  to  official  positions 
of  grave  responsibility  cannot  hope 
rightfully  to  respond  to  the  demands 
ot  the  public,  if  they  close  their  eyes 
to  the  conditions  of  society  and  the 
spirit  of  the  times.  Indifferently,  In- 
deed. has  he  lived  who  does  not  un- 
derstand that  the  people  know  their 
government  is  slipping  away  from  them 
and  that  they  are  pleading  for  honest 
public  servants.  The  newspaper  and 
the  magazine  are  abroad  in  the  land. 
The  Isaiahs  of  national  progress  ar.: 
ciying  unto  the  people  to  reclaim  the 
government  of  their  owu  making,  and 
with  hearts  that  shall  not  fail  and 
with  a courage  that  shall  endure  they 
will  ultimately  have  their  Runnymede 
We  should  not  forget,  however,  tha^ 
wild  declamation  disorganizes  and 
fiustrates  the  plans  of  those  working 
for  the  general  good.  Recognizing 
this  truth  the  people  are  coming  more 
and  more  t p lay  their  heads  together 
on  matters  of  public— concern,  with 
the  view  of  being  able  to  give  help- 
ful advice  to  those  in  authority  over 
them.  Hence  the  official  entreaty  to 
the  populace  should  be,  "Come,  let  us 
reason  together."  This  was  the  con 
ception  of  law  making  the  philoso- 
phical Burke  had  in  mind  when  he  de- 
clared that  "In  all  forms  of  govern- 
ments the  people  is  the  true  legisla- 

In  national  as  in  state  affairs 
they  have  solved  intelligently  every 
question  they  have  had  to  con- 
sider. I sometimes  think  that  men 
in  public  station  do  not  always  cor- 
rectly estimate  the  wisdom  and  the 
character  of  American  citizenship. 
While  our  citizens  are  aggressive  an«: 
at  times  seem  to  act  hastily,  they  are 
nevertheless  given  to  serious  thought. 
This  is  true  because  the  average 
American  is  capable  of  a high  order 
of  friendship  and  has  the  ability  to 
acquire  property.  Love  for  man  and 
a desire  for  property  suggest  the  ne- 
cessity lor  law  and  order  and  so  it  is 
that  the  average  American  citizen 
stands  for  obedience  to  law, 

Unless  the  law  is  enforced  con- 
stitutional guarantees  become  but  the 
dreams  of  our  fathers  and  the  most 
sacred  rights  of  citizenship  have 
nothing  secure  upon  which  to  rest. 
Before  the  law  the  rich  and  the  poor, 
the  capitalist  and  the  laborer  must 
stand  upon  an  equality.  As  Gover- 
nor I shall  have  no  favorites  in  Mu- 
execution  of  the  law,  and  let  it  now 
be  understood  that  I shall  hold  that 
tile  mind  which  devises  .'I  min-mr.  ih-xi  . 

I"  ww 

offense  m obedience  to  oral  I B. 

A free  government,  resting  upon 
the  consent  and  having  the  love  and 
support  of  all  the  people,  should  no*. 
b<-  chargeable  with  class  legislation 
This  sort  of  legislation  is  the  trail 
of  The  Beast  through  the  people's 
law  making  body,  and  is  the  rankest 
sort  of  injustice  'to  the  masses.  It 
repudiates  the  doctrine  of  equal  and 
exact  justice  to  all  men.  special  priv- 
ilege to  none,  and  eliminates  the  will 
of  the  people  as  a factor  in  the  enact- 
ment of  laws..  I believe  in  the  ac- 
cumulation of  property  but  the  acqui- 
sition of  riches  by  the  special  inter- 
ests, through  the  perversion  of  the 
functions  of  government,  tends  to 
divide  the  people  Into  classes  and 
weakens  their  confidence  In  the  gov- 
ernment. The  supremacy  of  the  peo- 
ple over  combinations  of  all  kinds  Is 
the  demand  of  the  day  and  the  polit- 
ical party  now  entrusted  with  power 
that  does  not  meet  this  demand  will 
be  repudiated  by  the  people  at  their 
first  opportunity. 

I make  no  attack  upon  property. 
Property  rights  are  shielded  by  con- 
stitutional guarantees  and  must  be  re- 
spected. Nor  am  I hostile  to  corpor 
a’ ions  On  the  coutrary,  I recognize 
their  worth.  The  business  or  the  coun- 
trv  could  not  be  carried  on  without 
them.  But  1 insist  that  when  they 
• laminate  legislatures  and  control  the 
people’s  government  in  their  own  in- 
terest. they  violate  the  law  of  their 
crention.  become  wrong  dorrs  against 
the  public  and  should  be  dealt  with 
accordingly.  But  corporations,  like 
individuals,  when  they  are  arraigned 
tor  wrong  doing,  either  before  the 
bar  of  public  opinion  or  at  the  bar 
of  justice,  must  be  tried  acordlng  to 
the  rules  of  justice.  It  may,  there 
tore,  be  appropriately  observed  In 
this  connection  that  the  loudest  de- 
nunciation does  not  necessarily  Indi- 
cate the  surest  wav  to  the  reform  the 
people  want,  and  that  catch  phrases 
often  lead  in  the  opposite  direetlo  i 
to  real  progress. 

Senators  and  representatives.  1 
hope  that  when  your  legislative  d-'- 
iles  are  concluded,  you  will  have  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing,  you  have,  as 
law  makers,  met  the  reasonable  ex- 
pectation of  the  people.  To  be  con- 
f-lous  of  having  served  your  sta'- 
to  a noble  purpose  will  strengthen 
you  in  your  future  work  and  comfort 
you  when  the  shadows  fall  about  you. 

Those  representing  the  co-ordinate 
braches  of  government  should  sus- 
tain a relation  of  trust  and  confidence 
with  one  another,  and  1 ask  all  with 
whom  I shall  be  associated  In  an 
official  way  to  aid  me  in  giving  the 
people  a money-saving  and  a public 
serving  administration. 


